MAINE, USA — Support from the Democratic Party has poured in for Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for presidency ahead of an election just four months away.
The Maine Delegation to the Democratic National Convention unanimously voted Monday night to endorse Harris after President Joe Biden ended his bid for re-election on Sunday. Republican political analysts, however, said they think the current vice president will face a lot of turbulence in the transition.
Bev Uhlenhake, chair of the Maine DNC Delegation, said the delegation was able to make a quick decision in support of Harris because they have been having recent conversations about the possibility of a new Democratic candidate entering the race.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but with everyone coalescing around her so quickly, I think that makes it easier,” Uhlenhake said. “That makes life much easier when we’re all working in the same direction.”
However, political analyst Garrett Mason said he thinks it will be "tough" for Harris as she leads the Democratic campaign with only four months before the election against former President Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance.
"There is no comparison in modern political history," Mason said. "You have a presidential [election] four months away. This is an unprecedented time in American history.”
Uhlenhake said the party had been considering other options since President Biden's concerning performance at the presidential debate a few weeks ago. She said the people who were mentioned as possible replacements for Biden if he withdrew from the race have all now endorsed Harris.
"They all want her, so that’s really that’s very helpful in bringing everyone together," Uhlenhake said. "Those preparatory conversations helped us come to a quick decision in the last 24 hours.”
The Harris campaign apparently raised about $81 million in just 24 hours after Biden dropped out of the race, endorsing the current vice president. The campaign also received a wave of new volunteers. Since Sunday, 400 Mainers had signed up as new volunteers to help the campaign, according to a "Harris for President" campaign source.
“I think this is a lot of pent-up donations that would have gone to Joe Biden eventually anyways, but now are coming in later on now that a new nominee has been essentially coronated," Mason said.
When asked if he felt Harris on the ticket, rather than Biden, would draw some moderate Republicans to vote across the aisle come November, Mason said he doesn't believe so.
“I’m not sure that the elevation of Kamala Harris is going to move a lot of those people, not to say it won’t for some, but I mean, I don’t think any issues have changed here just the name on the ticket," Mason said.
NEWS CENTER Maine reached out to Sen. Susan Collins' office after she said she would not be voting for Trump but would write in Nikki Haley on the ballot. The senator's office said her views remain the same, even after Harris' nomination.
Harris has faced criticism over immigration issues at the southern border with Mexico, including the fact she's never visited the site.
Harris has a lot of work to do in the next few weeks before the National Democratic Convention, including choosing a running mate for vice president.
"Her decision needs to come very, very quickly," Uhlenlake said. "She’s proven herself, and that makes it easy to jump behind her and get moving," she said.
In an email written to NEWS CENTER Maine, "Harris for President" spokesperson Kevin Munoz, said:
“The historic outpouring of support for Vice President Harris represents exactly the kind of grassroots energy and enthusiasm that wins elections. Already, we are seeing a broad and diverse coalition come together to support our critical work of talking to the voters that will decide this election. There is a groundswell behind Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump is terrified because he knows his divisive, unpopular agenda can’t stand up to the Vice President’s record and vision for the American people.”